{"id":47764,"date":"2024-04-10T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-10T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/?p=47764"},"modified":"2026-09-15T01:04:40","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T08:04:40","slug":"vegetable-pancakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/blog\/vegetable-pancakes\/","title":{"rendered":"Nutrient-Packed Vegetable Pancake Recipes from Around the World"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n Jump to Recipes<\/a>\n <\/div>\n
\nIn 2022, archeologists stumbled upon the remains of a 70,000-year-old breakfast. The meal, discovered<\/a> in a cave in northern Iraq, used complex culinary procedures, including soaking, pounding, and cooking pulse seeds into what appear to have been Paleolithic pancakes.<\/p>\n

We have come a long way from those proto-flapjacks to an International House of Pancakes sweet stack dripping with maple syrup and melted butter. But a survey of pancakes<\/a> from around the world shows that many cultures have retained the savory nature of pancakes.<\/p>\n

Many cultures have their own variation of savory pancakes, each with its own unique flavors, ingredients, and traditions.<\/strong> Just a few examples: Koreans enjoy spicy kimchi pancakes; those of Jewish heritage look forward to comforting potato latkes at Chanukah; and Indian cuisine has given the world uttapam, a fermented rice and dal pancake.<\/p>\n

And while sweet pancakes are mostly eaten as a breakfast food, vegetable-based and savory pancakes are a fantastic meal choice any time of day. Depending on the recipe, they can serve as a side dish or take center stage as a nutritious meal on their own.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re also a delicious \u2014 and wonderfully sneaky \u2014 way to hide vegetables in meals<\/a>, especially when you\u2019re trying to nourish children or other picky eaters.<\/p>\n

Another plus for pancakes is how quick and easy they are. The shape \u2014 flat and round \u2014 lends itself to fast and even cooking. And most pancake recipes also don\u2019t typically require a lot of ingredients \u2014 although you can add whatever foods you have lying around, as they\u2019re a great way to give leftovers a second life.<\/strong><\/p>\n

So if you have a curious palate and love the ease and pleasure of making pancakes, read on as we explore the savory world of vegetable pancakes. You\u2019ll get ingredient ideas, serving suggestions, storage tips, and seven delicious recipes to try.<\/p>\n

Vegetable Pancake Ingredients<\/h2>\n
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iStock.com\/UNGSU HAN<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Like their sweet cousins, vegetable pancakes start with a batter typically consisting of flour, a binder, a starch, seasoning, vegetables, and \u2014 if you want them fluffy \u2014 a rising agent.<\/p>\n

Flour<\/h3>\n

There are many kinds of flour, which can be made by grinding various grains and seeds. While wheat<\/a> is the most common in the US and Europe, other grains are more prominent in other parts of the world. Rice and lentils are used in south Indian dosas, and teff<\/a> is used for Ethiopian injera.<\/p>\n

You can also try making some types of pancakes without flour. This typically works best with starchier vegetables such as potatoes.<\/p>\n

For tips on choosing the best type of flour for your pancakes, here\u2019s a handy guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Egg Substitutes<\/h3>\n
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iStock.com\/OlgaLepeshkina<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The binder in pancakes holds everything together. Many cultures use eggs for this purpose, but there are several fine vegan egg alternatives<\/a>. Flax meal<\/a> or chia seeds<\/a> soaked in water, and the liquid from cooked chickpeas (called aquafaba), will approximate eggs while not affecting the flavor of the pancakes. Applesauce also binds, but will probably add some sweetness.<\/p>\n

To check out our comprehensive article on vegan substitutions in cooking and baking, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Starch<\/h3>\n

The starch source for your pancakes can come from a starchy whole vegetable, like a potato or sweet potato, corn, winter squash, or bean. Or it can be a powdered ingredient such as potato or corn starch.<\/p>\n

Seasonings<\/h3>\n
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iStock.com\/SGAPhoto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Your savory pancake seasonings will depend on the flavor profile you’re going for. In addition to the near-universal salt and black pepper, you can use whatever combination of herbs and spices strikes your fancy, or that the cuisine calls for.<\/p>\n

Rising Agents<\/h3>\n

And if you want fluffy pancakes, a rising agent like baking powder or baking soda will create air bubbles for that pleasing loft.<\/p>\n

Vegetables<\/h3>\n
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iStock.com\/Photo Beto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You can make vegetable pancakes with almost any type of vegetable you have on hand, so it\u2019s a great strategy for using up leftovers<\/a>. Common vegetables in savory pancakes include the following:<\/p>\n